Nine Big 12 teams open the 2012 season over Labor Day weekend while TCU opens its renovated stadium the following week on Sept. 8.

Oklahoma, West Virginia, Texas, TCU, Oklahoma State and Kansas State enter the season ranked nationally in both the coaches and media polls. Baylor received votes in each.

Including bowl games, the Big 12 was a nation-leading 33-5 (.868) in games outside the conference in 2011, including a 27-3 (.900) mark in non-conference regular season games. The .900 winning percentage was the best among all conferences since 1996.

The Big 12 has made seven appearances in the BCS national championship game.

Six Big 12 teams won 10 or more games in 2011.

Since 1996, the Big 12 has been home to more Heisman winners than any other league with five honorees.

The Conference has had a Heisman finalist (top four in the final voting) 11 out of 16 seasons.

The Big 12 leads all conferences with 77 NCAA-recognized national award winners. All-time the Big 12 has produced 97 individual award winners.

The Big 12 has ranked in the top eight nationally in scoring offense every season; with a team in the top five 13 of 16 years.

Defensively, the Conference has had a team finish among the top eight in the NCAA in scoring defense 12 of 16 seasons.